Health Screening Guidelines, Ages 2 to 18
Screening tests and health counseling are an important part of managing your child's health. A screening test is done to find possible disorders or diseases in children who don't have any symptoms. The goal is to find a disease early so that changes can be made and your child can be watched more closely to lower their chance for the disease. Screening tests also help detect a disease early enough to treat it most effectively. Screening tests are used to find out if more testing is needed. Below are general guidelines for children and teens from ages 2 to 18. Talk with your child's healthcare provider to make sure your child is up-to-date on what they need.
| Screening | Who needs it | How often |
|
Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections |
Sexually active females, including those pregnant, ages 24 years and younger |
Once a year or as advised during pregnancy |
|
High lead level |
Children who have possible or confirmed exposure to lead or show symptoms of lead poisoning |
Questions to determine risk or blood screening tests may be done once a year or as recommended
|
|
HIV |
Children in this age group at risk for infection; talk with your child’s healthcare provider |
Screening at least once between the ages of 15 and 21 and at routine exams as needed based on risk factors |
|
Overweight and obesity |
Assessment of overweight and obesity risk using BMI categories in children age 2 to 19 years |
At routine exams |
|
Oral health |
All children in this age group |
Oral health risk assessments every 6 months beginning at age 6 months. Fluoride supplements from age 6 months to 16 years for those with low fluoride levels in their water supply. Fluoride varnish should be applied every 6 months starting at age 6 months to age 5 years. Fluoride rinses may be used in children age 6 years or older, if they are able to rinse and spit. |
|
Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes |
Children age 10 and older or who have reached puberty or are overweight or obese and have one or more other risk factors for diabetes |
Every 3 years if tests are normal or more frequently if BMI increases |
|
Blood pressure |
All children 3 years of age and older |
Annual well-child visit |
|
Vision and hearing |
All children in this age group |
Vision testing starting at 1 month to 5 years assessed at each routine visit, followed by testing every 1 to 2 years after age 5 years. Hearing First screening before 1 month of age, then testing at ages 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 years, with additional screenings between ages 11 and 14, 15 and 17, and 18 and 21. |
| Counseling | Who needs it | How often |
|
Depression and suicide risk |
Children between ages 12 and 18 years |
At routine exams |
|
Anxiety |
Children between ages 8 and 18 years |
At routine exams |
|
Prevention of sexually transmitted infections |
Children in this age group who are sexually active |
At routine exams |
|
Prevention of skin cancer |
Sun protection is important for children of all ages. |
At routine exams |
|
Increased physical activity |
All children, especially those with diabetes or prediabetes |
At routine exams |